Hello
There’s no best-before date for grief. When a worker is injured, no matter how well they heal, that trauma is there for a lifetime. And when a worker is killed or dies from an occupational disease, the family’s loss is forever. That’s why prevention is so incredibly important. Threads of Life is very fortunate to have volunteers and partners like you, who share that commitment to preventing work-related tragedies.
The long shadow of a workplace tragedy
It’s been almost three decades since Barry and Linda’s son Donald Gladstone died after being pulled into a high-speed winding machine at a wire rope facility where he worked. Even after all these years, Barry and Linda continue to emphasize safety every chance they get. They also work hard to live the values that were Don’s calling cards: honesty, sincerity, respect and community. Read about the Gladstones’ safety message and how they have coped with their loss.
Walking together through Steps for Life sponsorship
Becoming a Steps for Life sponsor – at the community, regional or national level – is a great way to showcase your commitment to health and safety, and to walk together with those who’ve felt first-hand the effects of a work-related tragedy.

Steps for Life-Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy is a national health and safety event happening in communities across Canada and online. Community sponsors contribute at levels starting with Stepping Forward sponsorship at $250 and moving up through Advocate, Supporter, Leader and Champion levels. At every level, sponsors’ contributions sustain the programs Threads of Life offers to help heal families struggling in the aftermath of workplace fatalities, life-altering injuries and occupational disease.

Steps for Life sponsors are recognized through signage, web and social media. It’s a perfect way to show your community, your employees, your clients, and Canadian families that #WeWalkTogether.

Already sponsoring Steps for Life? We thank you! Consider taking it up a notch this year and moving to the next sponsorship level!
Old friends are the best!
Not even a pandemic could stop the Ontario Petroleum Contractors Association from supporting those affected by workplace tragedy. This fall, for the eighth year in a row, OPCA gathered for a golf tournament in support of Threads of Life, raising an incredible $10,000! The tournament required some reorganizing this year and last, to comply with the COVID guidelines and best health and safety practices, but OPCA persevered. Thank you OPCA and all your members, for being a true friend to Threads of Life and to the families who will find healing through your efforts.
Protecting future generations of workers
Through their Build Strong program, TC Energy is helping to promote health and safety for tomorrow’s workforce. TC Energy has provided grants to cover the costs of presentations by Threads of Life speaker’s bureau volunteers, for students and young workers in regions across Canada. A co-op teacher, requesting a presentation for this year’s class, commented “I have been blessed to have your organization share with my students about the importance of safe work practices. Unfortunately, I know the cost has been a tremendous loss to our guest speakers. For this, I am even more committed to invite you so our students can learn and hopefully be safe.” Thanks, TC Energy, for helping our speakers spread their vital health and safety message!
ICYMI: On the blog
Steps for Life - Committee Volunteers Needed | Threads...

Steps for Life walks take place in communities all across Canada - raising funds in support of programs and services and raising awareness of Threads of Life and the importance of workplace injury prevention. All our Steps for Life walks are...

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Maureen Shaw: Stepping forward for health and safety |...

In the early stages of Maureen Shaw's life, she would hear the screeching sirens from the local forestry mill. Everyone would wait with quiet breath for word on who was injured or who had died. Those early steps in her younger life, led Maureen...

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threadsoflife.ca
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